Originally Posted by
Whistlin' Dan
The workers who would be most affected by this change are the drivers and package handlers who work for the hundreds (if not thousands) of "independent contractors" employed by FedEx. They range from small "mom-and-pop" operations to medium-size trucking companies in size and scope of operations. Pay and benefits among those companies varies widely, from minimum-wage to above-industry-standard.
It's completely unrealistic to believe that any union could simultaneously organize such a wide-ranging and disparate group, a fact that Fred Smith has been counting on for all these years. But even if it were possible, it would be unfair to penalize those "contractors" who do treat their employees responsibly by making them the subject of an effort to organize.
Fred (and his family) got theirs. His investors got theirs. The pilots got theirs. Now it's time for the drivers and ground workers to get theirs.
Dude, stop confusing the issues. You are showing your ignorance of the two labor/FedEx issues in play right now. One has nothing to do with the other.
There are NO independent contractors at FedEx Express. The independent contractors that you read about in the news work for FedEx Ground. FedEx Ground falls under the NLRA and can organize any way, any time they like.
FedEx Express falls under the RLA. There are NO "contractors" driving trucks for FedEx Express. They are ALL FedEx Express employees. They are like the tug drivers/baggage loaders/mechanics, etc. at any other airline. They are governed by the RLA, which means that they can organize, but they have to do it nationwide. Just like most every other airline employee group in the country has been able to do.
So, to summarize... FedEx Ground and FedEx Express are two separate companies. FedEx Ground has the independent contractor driver issue. FedEx Express has the NLRA/RLA issue... and never the twain shall meet.
Capiche?